Throngs of busy commuters skirted police tape on Front Street Thursday morning as officers from the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit investigated a fatal shooting inside Trax Foods at Front Street and Girard Avenue.
One dazed clerk sat outside the popular convenience store, located at the foot of the Market-Frankford EL’s Girard Station, as detectives worked to piece together the early morning murder of a Trax employee.
“I have no idea what happened,” said the clerk, who did not give his name.
Officer Christine O’Brien, a spokeswoman in the department’s Media Affairs Unit, said an employee was shot in an attempted robbery that took place at 2:56 a.m. this morning.
Police have not yet released the name of the slain man. O’Brien said he was between 50 and 60 years old.
Police responded to an emergency call at 1204 N. Front St., and found the victim with a gunshot wound to the face, said O’Brien. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives planned to release more information about the nature of the attack and a description of suspects later in the day, O’Brien said.
Reports on NBC Channel 10 said police are looking for two men in their early 20s and that detectives are reviewing surveillance video taken from the store.
Located at the crossroads of Fishtown, Northern Liberties and Kensington South, the 24-hour market and deli is popular with commuters and with crowds leaving nearby clubs and bars in the early morning hours.
Reporter Brian Rademaekers can be reached 215 354 3039 or
